Ice making system and refrigerator

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an ice making system and a refrigerator. The ice-making system comprises a water distribution pipe, an ice-making disc, a rotary barrel, a circulating water tank, a first water pump and a first pipeline, the water distribution pipe is arranged above the ice-making tray, is used for enabling water to flow into the ice-making tray and is communicated with the circulating water tank through a first pipeline; the ice-making disc is arranged in the rotary drum and is used for performing phase change on the water in the flowing state to form ice; the rotary barrel is used for containing water flowing down from the ice-making tray; the circulating water tank is arranged below the rotary drum and is used for containing water in the rotary drum; the first water pump is arranged on the outer side of the circulating water tank and used for pumping water in the circulating water tank into the water distribution pipe. The ice-making system in the embodiment of the invention can realize ice making by running water, the ice-making water can be recycled, the ice-making efficiency is high, the structure is simple, and the occupied space is small.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular to an ice-making system and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator is a household appliance that can maintain a constant low temperature to extend the shelf life and freshness of food and other items. As people's living standards improve, the performance requirements for refrigerators are getting higher and higher. In addition to the functions of refrigeration and freezing, using refrigerators to make ice is also an increasingly popular application.

[0003] However, the ice-making system of existing refrigerators has a complex structure, takes up a large space, and mostly uses air cooling. The ice-making water is statically frozen into ice in the ice-making box. Due to the presence of a large number of bubbles in the ice-making water, the ice produced has a low transparency and is not beautiful. The air duct of the air-cooled ice-making is connected to the refrigeration or freezing compartment, which is easy to be blown and smelled, greatly affecting the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiment of the present application provides an ice-making system and a refrigerator, which adopts a direct cooling and flowing water ice-making method, has a simple structure, and saves space. In addition, since the ice-making water is in a flowing state, the bubbles in the water can be reduced during the freezing process of the ice cubes, and the ice cubes produced have a high transparency. The direct cooling method of ice-making will not cause wind or taste to flow in, which greatly improves the user experience.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an ice-making system, which is applied to a refrigerator, and includes: a water distribution pipe, an ice-making tray, a rotating barrel, a circulating water tank, a first water pump, and a first pipeline;

[0006] The water distribution pipe is arranged above the ice tray, and is used to flow water into the ice tray, and is connected with the circulating water tank through the first pipe;

[0007] The ice-making tray is arranged in the rotating barrel and is used to transform the flowing water into ice;

[0008] The rotating bucket is used to hold the water flowing down from the ice making tray;

[0009] The circulating water tank is arranged below the rotating barrel and is used to hold the water in the rotating barrel;

[0010] The first water pump is arranged outside the circulating water tank, and is used to pump the water in the circulating water tank into the water distribution pipe.

[0011] The ice-making system in the embodiment of the present application is applied to a refrigerator, and the ice-making system includes a water distribution pipe, an ice-making tray, a rotating barrel, a circulating water tank, a first water pump and a first pipeline. The water distribution pipe is arranged above the ice-making tray, and is used to flow water into the ice-making tray, and is connected to the circulating water tank through the first pipeline. The ice-making tray is arranged in the rotating barrel, and is used to change the water phase in a flowing state into ice. The rotating barrel is used to receive the water flowing down from the ice-making tray; the circulating water tank is arranged below the rotating barrel, and is used to receive the water in the rotating barrel; the first water pump is arranged on the outside of the circulating water tank, and is used to pump the water in the circulating water tank into the water distribution pipe. The water in the circulating water tank is pumped into the water distribution pipe through the first water pump through the first pipeline, and then flows into the ice-making tray through the water distribution pipe. The ice-making tray changes the water phase in a flowing state into ice, that is, the ice-making system adopts a direct cooling water flow ice-making form, and the ice-making water is in a flowing state. During the freezing process of ice cubes, bubbles in the water can be reduced, so that the internal bubbles of the ice cubes formed are less, the transparency of the ice cubes produced is higher, and the quality of the ice cubes is better. Direct cooling ice making will not be affected by wind or odor, which greatly improves the user experience. The ice in the ice tray that has not undergone phase change flows into the rotating bucket and then flows back to the circulating water tank to achieve water circulation. The ice making water can be recycled and the ice making efficiency is high. The entire ice making system is equipped with at least one water pump, which can simplify the overall structure of the ice making system.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the rotary barrel includes a barrel body and a first water outlet pipe;

[0013] In the height direction of the refrigerator, the first water outlet pipe is located on the side of the barrel body close to the circulating water tank, and the first water outlet pipe is located above the circulating water tank. Water in the barrel body can flow into the circulating water tank through the first water outlet pipe under the action of gravity, reducing power components and simplifying the structure of the ice making system.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the barrel body includes a first inner wall, wherein the first inner wall includes a first end and a second end that are axially opposite to each other;

[0015] In the height direction of the refrigerator, the second end is lower than the first end, and the first water outlet pipe is located at the second end. The barrel body can guide water so that the water flows to the second end and flows out from the first water outlet pipe at the second end.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the ice-making system further includes a water receiving box, the water receiving box is arranged above the circulating water tank, and the first water outlet pipe is arranged in the water receiving box, and is used to flow the water in the rotating bucket into the circulating water tank. The water receiving box can support the first water outlet pipe, and the water in the water receiving box directly flows into the circulating water tank.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the water receiving box includes a box body and a first water outlet;

[0018] The first water outlet is located above the circulating water tank and is used to flow the water in the water receiving box into the circulating water tank. In this way, no other pipeline is required between the water receiving box and the circulating water tank, thus simplifying the structure of the ice making system.

[0019] In some possible implementations, the ice making system further includes a water supply tank and a second pipe, wherein the water supply tank is connected to the circulating water tank through the second pipe. By supplying water to the circulating water tank using the water supply tank, the amount of water required for ice making can be ensured, thereby ensuring the continuity of ice making.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the ice-making system further includes a second water pump;

[0021] The second water pump is arranged between the water supply tank and the second pipeline, and the second water pump is used to pump the water in the water supply tank into the circulating water tank. In this way, the positions of the water supply tank and the circulating water tank can be flexibly arranged.

[0022] In some possible implementations, at least a portion of the water replenishment tank is higher than the circulating water tank, and water in the water replenishment tank enters the circulating water tank under the action of gravity. Using gravity to replenish the circulating water tank can simplify the structure of the ice making system.

[0023] In some possible implementations, the water distribution pipe includes a second inner wall, the second inner wall is provided with a plurality of water outlet holes, and the water outlet holes are adjacent to the ice making tray. Water in the water distribution pipe can flow into the ice making tray to achieve ice making in the ice making tray.

[0024] In some possible implementations, the ice-making system further includes a surrounding frame and a bracket;

[0025] The surrounding frame is sleeved outside the ice-making tray, and the bracket is arranged on one side of the surrounding frame and connected to the water distribution pipe.

[0026] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a refrigerator, comprising the above ice-making system. The refrigerator has at least the advantage of occupying less space, and the specific effects are referred to above and will not be described in detail here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view of the ice making system provided for this application;

[0029] Figure 2 A front view of an ice making system provided for this application;

[0030] Figure 3A three-dimensional diagram of the ice-making system provided in the present application after removing the upper barrel;

[0031] Figure 4 A front view of the ice making system provided in the present application after removing the upper barrel;

[0032] Figure 5 A three-dimensional diagram of the lower barrel, circulating water tank and ice receiving box provided for this application;

[0033] Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of the lower barrel provided for this application;

[0034] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a water collection box provided for this application;

[0035] Figure 8 A partial diagram of the ice-making system provided for this application.

[0036] Description of reference numerals:

[0037] 10-Ice tray;

[0038] 20-water distribution pipe;

[0039] 30-rotating barrel; 31-upper barrel body; 32-lower barrel body; 33-first water outlet pipe; 34-first inner wall; 35-water collecting trough; 36-second water outlet; 37-third end plate; 38-fourth end plate; 39-second side plate;

[0040] 41-circulating water tank; 42-water supply tank; 43-first water inlet;

[0041] 51-first pipeline; 52-second pipeline;

[0042] 61-first water pump; 62-second water pump;

[0043] 70-Connect ice box;

[0044] 80-water receiving box; 81-box body; 82-first water outlet; 83-chute; 84-second water inlet;

[0045] 91-support member; 92-flip motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0047] In the related art, when making ice, the refrigerator needs multiple power devices to realize water circulation, which has a complex structure and occupies a large space. In the ice-making system provided by the present application, by arranging a water distribution pipe above the ice-making tray, the ice-making tray is arranged in a rotating barrel, and the circulating water tank is arranged below the rotating barrel, so that water can flow from the water distribution pipe to the ice-making tray, and the ice in the ice-making tray that has not undergone phase change flows into the rotating barrel and then flows back to the circulating water tank to realize water circulation. No power device is required between the water distribution pipe and the circulating water tank, so that the structure of the ice-making system can be simplified.

[0048] The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0049] The embodiment of the present application provides a refrigerator, which includes a box body, which is used to accommodate other structures and form a space for storing items to achieve functions such as refrigeration, freezing, and temperature change. The refrigerator also includes an ice-making system, which is arranged in the box body and is used to make ice to achieve the ice-making function, thereby improving the functionality of the refrigerator.

[0050] See also Figures 1 to 8 The ice-making system includes a water distribution pipe 20, an ice tray 10, a rotating barrel 30, a circulating water tank 41, a first water pump 61 and a first pipe 51; wherein the water distribution pipe 20 is arranged above the ice tray 10, for flowing water into the ice tray 10, and is connected to the circulating water tank 41 through the first pipe 51; the ice tray 10 is arranged in the rotating barrel 30, for changing the flowing water phase into ice; the rotating barrel 30 is used to receive the water flowing down from the ice tray 10; the circulating water tank 41 is arranged below the rotating barrel 30, for receiving the water in the rotating barrel 30; the first water pump 61 is arranged on the outside of the circulating water tank 41, for pumping the water in the circulating water tank 41 into the water distribution pipe 20.

[0051] In this configuration, the water in the circulating water tank 41 enters the water distribution pipe 20 under the action of the first water pump 61, and flows into the ice tray 10, and the flowing water changes phase to form ice in the ice tray 10. The water that has not formed ice flows out of the ice tray 10 into the rotating barrel 30, and flows back to the circulating water tank 41 from the rotating barrel 30, thus realizing water circulation.

[0052] In this process, ice-making water flows into the ice-making tray 10 through the water distribution pipe 20, and the flowing water is formed into ice. The formed ice has fewer bubbles inside, higher transparency, and better ice quality. The ice-making tray 10 is arranged below the water distribution pipe 20 and arranged in the rotating barrel 30. The circulating water tank is arranged below the rotating barrel 30. Water from the water distribution pipe 20 to the ice-making tray 10, the rotating barrel 30, and the sequential water tank can all rely on gravity. There is no need to set up a power device, which can simplify the structure of the ice-making system, thereby saving space for the ice-making system.

[0053] For details, see Figures 1 to 4 The ice tray 10 has an ice making space and an opening connected to the ice making space. The ice making space is used to form ice, and the opening is used for water to flow into and out of the ice making space. The opening is oriented in the same direction as the horizontal direction, or forms an acute angle with the horizontal direction, and the horizontal direction is perpendicular to the height direction of the refrigerator. For example, the opening is horizontally arranged, such as Figure 3 As shown, the opening faces forward. Along the height direction of the refrigerator, water flows into the ice-making space from the upper part of the opening, and flows out of the ice-making space from the lower part of the opening.

[0054] In some possible examples, the ice tray 10 includes a base plate and a panel surrounding the edge of the base plate; the base plate and the panel surround an ice-making space, and the panel is open at one end away from the base plate. The base plate can be a flat plate, which is placed vertically, that is, the normal of the base plate is perpendicular to the height direction of the refrigerator, or at an acute angle. The panel surrounds the edge of the base plate, for example, the panel and the base plate can be an integral structure, so that the panel and the base plate are reliably connected and easy to manufacture. The base plate and the panel are made of metal to have good thermal conductivity.

[0055] The ice tray 10 further includes a partition disposed in the ice making space, the partition dividing the ice making space into a plurality of ice making grids. Each ice making grid is independent of each other, and ice can be formed in each ice making grid. The partition is in contact with the enclosure and the base plate, for example, the partition, the base plate and the enclosure are an integral structure. Exemplarily, the partition includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate, and the horizontal plate and the vertical plate are cross-arranged. The sizes of the ice making grids can be the same or similar, or they can be arranged according to the refrigeration pipe, and their shapes can be blocks, for example, rectangular bodies.

[0056] The ice making system further includes a refrigeration evaporator, which is arranged on the back of the ice making tray 10 and contacts the ice making tray 10. The refrigeration evaporator allows refrigerant to flow, and uses the refrigeration pipe to provide cold capacity for direct cooling and ice making, thereby improving ice making efficiency. The back of the ice making tray 10 refers to the surface of the substrate away from the ice making space, that is, the refrigeration evaporator is arranged outside the ice making space.

[0057] The refrigeration evaporator is connected to the refrigeration system of the refrigerator, and the refrigeration pipe of the refrigeration evaporator is arranged on the back of the base plate in a winding manner, and at least part of the refrigeration pipe is in a serpentine shape. In this way, the contact length between the refrigeration pipe and the base plate can be increased, and the heat transfer efficiency between the ice-making evaporator and the ice-making tray 10 can be improved, thereby improving the ice-making efficiency.

[0058] The ice making system further includes a heater, which is disposed on the back of the ice tray 10 and in contact with the ice tray 10. When ice making is finished, the heater is used to heat the ice tray 10 so that the portion of ice in contact with the ice tray 10 melts, and the ice slides out of the ice tray 10 to achieve ice removal. The heater is in contact with the base plate of the ice tray 10, which can improve the heat conduction efficiency, thereby improving the ice removal efficiency.

[0059] The heater includes, for example, a heating wire, which utilizes the thermal effect of electric current to heat the ice tray 10. The heater and the refrigeration evaporator are arranged on the same side of the ice tray 10 to provide cooling or heat to the refrigeration tray as required. The heater is arranged around the refrigeration pipe of the refrigeration evaporator. In this arrangement, the heater and the refrigeration evaporator are close to each other, and the position for providing cooling and the position for providing heat are close to each other, so that the ice near the refrigeration pipe can be melted, which is convenient for de-icing, and the space utilization rate of the back of the ice tray 10 can also be improved. The refrigeration evaporator and the heater can work alternately to complete multiple ice making and de-icing.

[0060] The ice making system further includes a frame, which is arranged outside the ice making tray 10, the refrigeration pipe and the heater, and correspondingly wraps the ice making tray 10, the refrigeration pipe and the heater, and is exposed. The frame is also provided with an opening for the ends of the refrigeration pipe and the heater to extend out and realize external connection. The frame and the ice making tray 10 can be connected by snapping or by fasteners, and the shape of the frame is adapted to the shape of the ice making space.

[0061] The ice making system further includes a bracket, which is arranged on one side of the enclosure and connected to the water distribution pipe 20, so that the water distribution pipe 20 is fixed relative to the enclosure. Exemplarily, the bracket and the enclosure are an integrated structure, and the bracket and the water distribution pipe 20 are clamped. There may be two brackets, which are respectively located at the two ends of the upper side of the enclosure, and a clamping interface is provided on the side of the bracket away from the enclosure, and the water distribution pipe 20 is clamped in the clamping interface. The extension direction of the water distribution pipe 20 is consistent with the arrangement direction of the two brackets.

[0062] In some possible examples, the surrounding frame is further provided with a guide member (not shown in the figure), which guides the water flowing out of the water outlet of the water distribution pipe 20 to the inside of the ice making space, so that the flowing water can contact the base plate of the ice making tray 10, thereby condensing on the base plate. It can be understood that the flowing water that has not undergone phase change to form ice will flow out of the ice making space under the action of gravity.

[0063] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4The water distribution pipe 20 is arranged above the ice tray 10, for example, the water distribution pipe 20 is arranged just above the enclosure, so that water flows to the ice tray 10 under the action of gravity, and no power device is required, thereby reducing energy consumption. The water distribution pipe 20 can be a round pipe and a straight pipe. The water distribution pipe 20 includes a second inner wall, and a plurality of water outlet holes are opened on the second inner wall. The water outlet holes are adjacent to the ice tray 10, so that the water distribution pipe 20 has a long water outlet distance along its extension direction, and provides sufficient water source for the ice tray 10 to make ice.

[0064] Specifically, a second inner wall of the water distribution pipe 20 is provided with a plurality of water outlet holes on one side facing the enclosure, so that the water in the water distribution pipe 20 can be divided into multiple streams and flow into the ice making tray 10 to provide the water source required for ice making. Exemplarily, the plurality of water outlet holes are arranged at the bottom of the second inner wall, so that the distance between the water outlet holes and the ice making tray 10 is the shortest, and water can be effectively discharged to reduce water retention in the water distribution pipe 20. The plurality of water outlet holes are arranged at equal intervals along the extension direction of the water distribution pipe 20, and each ice making grid is opposite to at least one water outlet hole, so that water can flow into each ice making grid, ensuring that ice can be made in each ice making grid, and improving ice making efficiency.

[0065] Continue reading Figures 1 to 4 The water distribution pipe 20 is also connected to the circulating water tank 41 through the first pipe 51, so that the water in the circulating water tank 41 can enter the water distribution pipe 20. One end of the water distribution pipe 20 is connected to one end of the first pipe 51, and the other end of the water distribution pipe 20 can be blocked by a frame, for example, a baffle is correspondingly provided on the frame, and the baffle covers the corresponding end of the water distribution pipe 20. The baffle can be an integral structure with the frame, and a sealing member can be further provided between the baffle and the water distribution pipe 20 to ensure the sealing between the two.

[0066] A first water pump 61 is further provided between the first pipe 51 and the circulating water tank 41. The first water pump 61 is specifically provided outside the circulating water tank 41 and communicates with the circulating water tank 41 and the first pipe 51. The first water pump 61 pumps the water in the circulating water tank 41 into the water distribution pipe 20 through the first pipe 51. The form of the first water pump 61 is not limited, and it may be a centrifugal pump, an axial flow pump, etc.

[0067] The circulating water tank 41 may be a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, etc. The circulating water tank 41 is located below the rotating barrel 30. Figure 5 The top of the circulating water tank 41 has a first water inlet 43, which is opposite to the rotary barrel 30, so that water flowing out of the rotary barrel 30 can flow into the circulating water tank 41 through the first water inlet 43 under the action of gravity, simplifying the connection structure between the circulating water tank 41 and the rotary barrel 30.

[0068] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3The rotating barrel 30 is sleeved outside the ice tray 10, for example, the ice tray 10 is completely located in the rotating barrel 30. The axial direction of the rotating barrel 30 is perpendicular to the height direction of the refrigerator or the angle is acute. The ice tray 10 and the rotating barrel 30 can also be respectively provided with supporting members 91, so that the rotating barrel 30 and the ice tray 10 can be arranged above the circulating water tank 41, and the rotating barrel 30 can be rotated relative to the ice tray 10. The ice formed by the ice tray 10 can fall into the rotating barrel 30 after the ice tray 10 is separated, and through the rotation of the rotating barrel 30, it falls from the rotating barrel 30 into the ice receiving box 70, so that the ice is taken out.

[0069] For some possible examples, see Figure 2 and Figure 5 The rotary barrel 30 includes a barrel body and a first water outlet pipe 33; in the height direction of the refrigerator, the first water outlet pipe 33 is located on the side of the barrel body close to the circulating water tank 41, and the first water outlet pipe 33 is located above the circulating water tank 41. Figure 5 As shown, the first water outlet pipe 33 is arranged on the right side of the barrel body, and the circulating water tank 41 is also arranged on the right side of the barrel body, so that the first water outlet pipe 33 and the circulating water tank 41 are arranged on the same side and adjacent to each other, reducing the path of water from the first water outlet pipe 33 to the circulating water tank 41.

[0070] The barrel body includes a first inner wall 34, wherein the first inner wall 34 includes a first end and a second end arranged opposite to each other in the axial direction; in the height direction of the refrigerator, the second end is lower than the first end, and the first water outlet pipe 33 is located at the second end. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first end is the left end of the first inner wall 34, the second end is the right end of the first inner wall 34, the first end is higher than the second end, and the axial direction is the axial direction of the rotary barrel 30. The first water outlet pipe 33 is arranged at the lower second end, and the water in the rotary barrel 30 flows to the second end under the action of gravity, which can improve the water outlet efficiency of the first water outlet pipe 33 and reduce the water retained in the rotary barrel 30.

[0071] In the height direction of the refrigerator, the first inner wall 34 gradually decreases from the first end to the second end, that is, the bottom end of the first inner wall 34 is inclined toward the circulating water tank 41. In this way, the first inner wall 34 also has a diversion function, so that the water in the barrel body flows to the second end under the action of gravity and can be discharged from the first water outlet pipe 33. Almost all the water in the barrel body can flow into the circulating water tank 41, thereby improving the utilization rate of water.

[0072] In some possible implementations, the barrel body includes an upper barrel body 31 and a lower barrel body 32, and the opening of the upper barrel body 31 and the opening of the lower barrel body 32 are opposite and spliced, so that the upper barrel body 31 and the lower barrel body 32 enclose a space for accommodating the ice tray 10, and the inner wall of the upper barrel body 31 and the inner wall of the lower barrel body 32 form a first inner wall 34 of the barrel body. The lower barrel body 32 can also be rotated outside the upper barrel body 31, for example, the upper barrel body 31 is fixedly arranged, and the lower barrel body 32 is driven by the flip motor 92 and the synchronous motor to rotate along the axial direction of the rotating barrel 30. In this way, there is no shielding below the ice tray 10, and the ice in the ice tray 10 can fall freely into the ice receiving box 70.

[0073] Exemplarily, the upper barrel body 31 includes a first end plate and a second end plate opposite to each other along the axial direction of the rotary barrel 30, and a first side plate connected between the first end plate and the second end plate, and the first end plate, the second end plate and the first side plate are an integral structure. The first end plate and the second end plate are flat plates, and the first end plate and the second end plate have the same shape and size. For example, the first end plate and the second end plate are semicircular plates or semi-elliptical plates as a whole, and the sizes of the two ends of the first side plate are the same, and the upper barrel body 31 is a semi-cylindrical or semi-elliptical cylinder as a whole.

[0074] See also Figure 5 and Figure 6 The lower barrel body 32 includes a third end plate 37 and a fourth end plate 38 which are opposite to each other along the axial direction of the rotary barrel 30, and a second side plate 39 connected between the third end plate 37 and the fourth end plate 38. The third end plate 37, the fourth end plate 38 and the second side plate 39 are an integral structure. The third end plate 37 and the fourth end plate 38 are flat plates, and the third end plate 37 and the fourth end plate 38 have the same shape, for example, the third end plate 37 and the fourth end plate 38 are both semicircular plates or semi-elliptical plates.

[0075] The third end plate 37 and the fourth end plate 38 have different sizes. For example, the size of the fourth end plate 38 is larger than that of the third end plate 37. The fourth end plate 38 is adjacent to the circulating water tank 41. Along the axial direction of the rotary barrel 30 and in the direction close to the circulating water tank 41, the size of the second side plate 39 gradually increases, and the lower barrel body 32 is a semi-conical column as a whole.

[0076] The first water outlet pipe 33 is specifically connected to the lower barrel body 32. For example, the lower barrel body 32 is provided with a second water outlet 36. One end of the first water outlet pipe 33 is connected to the second water outlet 36, so that the first water outlet pipe 33 is connected to the interior of the lower barrel body 32. The first water outlet pipe 33 and the lower barrel body 32 are an integral structure, and the second water outlet 36 can be provided on the fourth end plate 38 or the second side plate 39.

[0077] In some possible implementations, such as Figure 6As shown, a water collecting tank 35 is also provided at one end of the second side plate 39 of the lower barrel body 32 adjacent to the fourth end plate 38, and the water collecting tank 35 also protrudes outward relative to the second side plate 39, so that the water collecting tank 35 is located at the lowest end of the barrel body. The second water outlet 36 is opened on the side wall of the water collecting tank 35 and extends to the fourth end plate 38.

[0078] Continue reading Figures 1 to 8 The ice making system further includes a water receiving box 80, which is disposed above the circulating water tank 41. The first water outlet pipe 33 is also disposed in the water receiving box 80, and is used to flow the water in the rotating barrel 30 into the circulating water tank 41. The water receiving box 80 supports the first water outlet pipe 33, and connects the first water outlet pipe 33 and the circulating water tank 41. The water in the rotating barrel 30 flows out of the first water outlet pipe 33 and enters the circulating water tank 41 through the water receiving box 80. The first water outlet pipe 33 can be tilted toward the water receiving box 80 to guide the water.

[0079] The water receiving box 80 includes a box body 81 and a first water outlet 82; the first water outlet 82 is located above the circulating water tank 41, and is used to flow the water in the water receiving box 80 into the circulating water tank 41. The box body 81 can be a rectangular body, and the first water outlet 82 is higher than the circulating water tank 41, and the water in the box body 81 can flow into the circulating water tank 41 under the action of gravity. In some possible examples, the first water outlet 82 can be directly opposite to the first water inlet 43 of the circulating water tank 41, and the water can flow directly into the circulating water tank 41. The outer contour of the first water inlet 43 protrudes from the outer contour of the first water outlet 82 to prevent water from flowing outside the circulating water tank 41.

[0080] In other examples, the water receiving box 80 further includes a second water outlet pipe connected to the first water outlet 82, and the second water outlet pipe further extends into the circulating water tank 41. The water receiving box 80 and the circulating water tank 41 are connected by the second water outlet pipe, and the positions of the water receiving box 80 and the circulating water tank 41 are relatively independent of each other, and the water receiving box 80 and the circulating water tank 41 can be arranged according to the specific space, thereby improving the space utilization rate.

[0081] like Figure 1 and Figure 8 As shown, the box body 81 can be set on the support member 91, and the water receiving box 80, the rotating barrel 30 and the ice tray 10 can use the same support member 91. The surface of the box body 81 facing the rotating barrel 30 is also provided with a chute 83, and the bottom of the chute 83 is provided with a second water inlet 84. The chute 83 can guide the first water outlet pipe 33 when the first water outlet pipe 33 rotates with the rotating barrel 30, so that the first water outlet pipe 33 can smoothly enter the second water inlet 84 and extend into the box body 81. Among them, one end of the chute 83 also extends to the corresponding end of the box body 81, so that the first water outlet pipe 33 can enter the chute 83 or exit the chute 83 from this end.

[0082] See also Figures 1 to 4The ice making system further includes a water supply tank 42 and a second pipe 52, and the water supply tank 42 is connected to the circulating water tank 41 through the second pipe 52. The water supply tank 42 stores water and is connected to the circulating water tank 41 through the second pipe 52, so that the water supply tank 42 can supply water to the circulating water tank 41 to ensure the amount of water required for ice making. One end of the second pipe 52 is connected to the water supply tank 42, and the other end is connected to the circulating water tank 41. For example, the second pipe 52 is arranged on the sides of the water supply tank 42 and the circulating water tank 41.

[0083] In order to realize that the water replenishment tank 42 replenishes water to the circulating water tank 41, in some possible implementations, the ice making system further includes a second water pump 62; the second water pump 62 is disposed between the water replenishment tank 42 and the second pipe 52, and the second water pump 62 is used to pump the water in the water replenishment tank 42 into the circulating water tank 41. The second water pump 62 can be fixed on the water replenishment tank 42, and the positions of the water replenishment tank 42 and the circulating water tank 41 can be flexibly set.

[0084] In some other possible implementations, at least part of the structure of the water replenishment tank 42 is higher than the circulating water tank 41, and the water in the water replenishment tank 42 enters the circulating water tank 41 under the action of gravity. In this way, the entire ice-making system includes at least two water tanks, the water replenishment tank 42 and the circulating water tank 41, and one water pump, the first water pump 61, which simplifies the structure of the ice-making system. At the same time, by controlling the height of the water replenishment tank 42, the amount of water entering the water replenishment tank 42 can be adjusted.

[0085] In some possible examples, the ice making system further includes an insulation layer, for example, the insulation layer is a support member, the ice tray 10, the rotating barrel 30, the circulating water tank 41 and the first water pump 61 are arranged in the insulation layer, and the water replenishment tank 42 is arranged outside the insulation layer. Further, the ice making system includes an ice receiving box 70, which receives ice and is arranged below the rotating barrel 30 and has an opening toward the rotating barrel 30.

[0086] The ice-making system in the embodiment of the present application is applied to a refrigerator, and the ice-making system includes a water distribution pipe 20, an ice tray 10, a rotating barrel 30, a circulating water tank 41, a first water pump 61 and a first pipe 51. The water distribution pipe 20 is arranged above the ice tray 10, and is used to flow water into the ice tray 10, and is connected to the circulating water tank 41 through the first pipe 51. The ice tray 10 is arranged in the rotating barrel 30, and is used to change the flowing water phase into ice. The rotating barrel 30 is used to receive the water flowing from the ice tray 10; the circulating water tank 41 is arranged below the rotating barrel 30, and is used to receive the water in the rotating barrel 30; the first water pump 61 is arranged on the outside of the circulating water tank 41, and is used to pump the water in the circulating water tank 41 into the water distribution pipe 20. The water in the circulating water tank 41 is pumped into the water distribution pipe 20 through the first water pump 61 through the first pipe 51, and then flows from the water distribution pipe 20 to the ice tray 10. The ice tray 10 changes the phase of the flowing water into ice, that is, the ice-making system adopts the direct cooling flowing water ice-making form. The ice-making water is in a flowing state, and the bubbles in the water can be reduced during the freezing process of the ice cubes. In this way, the internal bubbles of the ice cubes formed are relatively small, the ice cubes produced have a higher transparency, and the quality of the ice cubes is better. The direct cooling form of ice-making will not be tainted by wind or taste, which greatly improves the user experience. The ice in the ice tray 10 that has not been phase-changed flows into the rotating barrel 30, and then flows back to the circulating water tank 41, realizing water circulation, and the ice-making water can be recycled, and the ice-making efficiency is high. At least one water pump is set in the entire ice-making system, which can simplify the structure of the ice-making system.

[0087] In this specification, each embodiment or implementation is described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referenced to each other. The description of reference terms such as "one implementation", "some implementations", "illustrative implementations", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the implementation or example are included in at least one implementation or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same implementation or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more implementations or examples in a suitable manner.

[0088] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice making system, applied to a refrigerator, characterized in that: include: A water distribution pipe, an ice tray, a rotating barrel, a circulating water tank, a first water pump and a first pipeline; The water distribution pipe is arranged above the ice tray, and is used to flow water into the ice tray, and is connected with the circulating water tank through the first pipe; The ice-making tray is arranged in the rotating barrel and is used to transform the flowing water into ice; The rotating bucket is used to hold the water flowing down from the ice making tray; The circulating water tank is arranged below the rotating barrel and is used to hold the water in the rotating barrel; The first water pump is arranged outside the circulating water tank, and is used to pump the water in the circulating water tank into the water distribution pipe.

2. The ice making system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating barrel comprises a barrel body and a first water outlet pipe; In the height direction of the refrigerator, the first water outlet pipe is located on a side of the barrel body close to the circulating water tank, and the first water outlet pipe is located above the circulating water tank.

3. The ice making system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The barrel body comprises a first inner wall, wherein the first inner wall comprises a first end and a second end which are arranged opposite to each other in the axial direction; In the height direction of the refrigerator, the second end is lower than the first end, and the first water outlet pipe is located at the second end.

4. The ice making system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The ice-making system further comprises a water receiving box, which is arranged above the circulating water tank. The first water outlet pipe is arranged in the water receiving box and is used for flowing the water in the rotating barrel into the circulating water tank.

5. The ice making system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water receiving box comprises a box body and a first water outlet; The first water outlet is located above the circulating water tank and is used to allow the water in the water receiving box to flow into the circulating water tank.

6. The ice making system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The ice-making system further includes a water supply tank and a second pipe, wherein the water supply tank is connected to the circulating water tank through the second pipe.

7. The ice making system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The ice making system further includes a second water pump; The second water pump is arranged between the water replenishing tank and the second pipeline, and the second water pump is used to pump the water in the water replenishing tank into the circulating water tank.

8. The ice making system according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least a portion of the structure of the water replenishment tank is higher than the circulating water tank, and the water in the water replenishment tank enters the circulating water tank under the action of gravity.

9. The ice making system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The water distribution pipe comprises a second inner wall, the second inner wall is provided with a plurality of water outlet holes, and the water outlet holes are adjacent to the ice making tray.

10. The ice making system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The ice making system also includes a surrounding frame and a bracket; The surrounding frame is sleeved outside the ice-making tray, and the bracket is arranged on one side of the surrounding frame and connected to the water distribution pipe.

11. A refrigerator, characterized in that: The ice-making system comprises the ice-making system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images